Staff

Our Team

LINC's work is reflective of a rich organizational culture represented by the different ideas and talents that our staff bring to the team. We take pride in the diverse history, backgrounds and skills of our staff.

LINC's staff come from 4 different countries, speak 3 different languages, and have had very divergent career and life tracks.

Co Executive Director

Darel Ross II has been living in and serving the Grand
Rapids community his entire life.
Feeling a strong connection and passion for his community in Southeast
Grand Rapids, ... read more

Co Executive Director

Jeremy DeRoo

Jeremy
Deroo has a BA in Psychology from Calvin College and a Masters in Public
Administration from Grand Valley State University. Born and raised on a dairy farm in Southern
Ontario, DeRoo came to Grand Rapids to attend ... read more

Director of Economic Development

Jorge Gonzalez

Jorge, a Grand Rapidian, grew up by Division and Pleasant on the
Southeast side of Grand Rapids. He graduated from Union High School and
went on to Grand Valley State University where he received a Bachelors in Public Administration and ... read more

Director of Real Estate Development

Stephanie Gingerich

Stephanie joined LINC as Director of Real Estate Development in June 2011. Previously, Stephanie was the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Manager for Kent County and a Community Development Administrator for the City of East Lansing for 8 years. Stephanie previously lived ... read more

Outreach & Engagement Coordinator

Kari Bergman

A lover of people and a strong advocate for community, Kari
interned with LINC in 2009 and officially joined the team in June 2010. Since
then Kari has journeyed with LINC and the communities they serve, witnessing
significant growth, potential realized and relationships ... read more

Planning Coordinator

LaKiya Jenkins

Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a product of Creston High School, LaKiya has always had a desire to give back to her community. Over the past 7 years LaKiya has been active throughout the community serving in area ... read more

Executive Assistant

Erica Hooser

Erica joined the team in September of 2008 as a LISC/AmeriCorps member. Erica grew up on the southeast side of town and is "excited to see its transformation to a place that is improving so much. There is a difference from ... read more

Accounting Manager

Ramy Ibrahim

Accounting Assistant

Andrew Graham

Andrew
Graham has his Bachelors of Arts Degree from Western Michigan
University with a major in Economics and a minor in General Business.

Originally
from the Kalamazoo area, Andrew joined LINC in August 2011 and serves
as the Operations Assistant. ... read more

Operations Assistant

JeRae Wise

LOC Coach

Alisa White

Alisa has been with LINC since February 2007 and provides various levels of support to the Resident Services department. Prior to joining the LINC team, Alisa processed loans for Centex Home Equity for two years and worked for a collection ... read more

LOC Coach

Staci Nichols

LOC Coach

Belen Salas

Intake Specialist

Debra Wadlington

Debra grew up in the Madison Square area with her husband and 3 sons. Debra is the type of person that loves to reach out and help people. One of her favorite things to do is going to church. She ... read more

LOC Business Coach

Donald Everett, Sr.

B2B Central Community Liaison

Willie Patterson III

Willie L. Patterson III, was born and raised right here in Grand Rapids, where he now lives with his wife of ten years and daughter. He has always had a strong love for people and community, this foundation has helped ... read more

B2B South Community Liaison

San Juana Guillermo

B2B East Community Liaison

Montel Pierre

B2B Natural Helper

Hugo Claudin

Hugo Claudin is a Natural Helper for the Believe 2 Become West Zone. He is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico and moved to Grand Rapids to study fine arts and design. He has worked as a community health worker, a promoter, ... read more